Police have previously been called to the home of Oscar Pistorius because of incidents "of a domestic nature," a spokesperson confirmed.

Brigadier Denise Beukes also said police were "very surprised" by a previous suggestion that Pistorius had fired the shots after hearing a burglar.

Beukes told reporters near the scene: "These allegations did not come from us."

Pistorius will be charged with murder when he appears before magistrates after a woman, believed to be his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, was shot dead at his home in Pretoria, South Africa.

His court appearance has been delayed until Friday.

Pistorius on his way to court

Sister of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, Aimee, left, leaves the Mamelodi Hospital, east of Pretoria where Pistorius was being examined

The six-time gold medallist was being held at Pretoria Central Prison, South African news channel eNCA has reported and police have recovered a 9mm pistol from the scene. He was pictured leaving the police station this morning, wearing a grey hooded top and flanked by security.

Brigadier Denise Beukes also said they will be opposing bail on grounds "which will be disclosed in court this afternoon."

"No other suspects are involved," a police spokesperson said.

"There are witnesses. We are talking about neighbours and things that happened earlier in the evening, things that took place before."

According to the BBC's Jon Williams, eyewitnesses heard an 'altercation' on Wednesday evening, before the shots were fired.

A forensics van leaves the guarded compound where Pistorius lives

30-year-old Steenkamp was shot twice in the head and in the arm in the early hours of Thursday morning at the sprinter's home, it has been reported, but the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. The Associated Press has reported that the woman was shot four times.

A neighbour called police and when they arrived at the house they found paramedics already in attendance. The woman was declared dead at the scene and a hearse was later seen taking the body away, ITV reports.

Oscar and Reeva at a recent event

Henke Pistorius, Oscar's father, told SABC radio news: "I don't know nothing. It will be extremely obnoxious and rude to speculate. I don't know the facts.

"If anyone makes a statement, it will have to be Oscar. He's sad at the moment."

Henke and Oscar

The Paralympic gold medallist was extremely conscious about his safety whilst in his native South Africa and reportedly kept a pistol by his bed and a machine gun by his window. According to official figures, 13 in 100 people own a gun in South Africa.

According to United Nations research, the country has one of the highest firearm-related homicide rates in the world, second only to Colombia at the time.

According to Pistorius' lawyer, Oscar is "doing fine, but he's very emotional," reported journalist Barry Bateman in South Africa.

Police said in a statement: "we can't comment on his emotional well-being, but he is traumatised after losing someone close to him."

Pistorius celebrates winning Gold in the Men's 400m in London

Pistorius is regarded as a sporting hero by many after being the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics. Along with his sporting achievements he also worked as a male model and was named one of the sexiest men alive by People Magazine.

Pistorius is known as the Blade Runner because of the ground-breaking prosthetics he uses for racing.

He made history at the London 2012 Olympics when he became the first amputee sprinter to compete in the able-bodied Games, running in the 400m and 4x400m relay.

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In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii)

In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii-HO)

In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii-HO)

In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii)

In this undated handout publicity photo supplied by Stimulii taken on the island of Jamaica, Reeva Steenkamp poses on set during the shooting of the reality show Tropika Island of Treasure which premieres on state television Saturday, Feb 16, 2013. South Africa's national broadcaster says it will screen the show featuring the dead model girlfriend of double-amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius, two days after she was shot and killed at Pistorius' home. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stimulii)

Reeva was a model with Ice Model Management in Johannesburg. This is one of her portfolio pictures.

Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her facebook page

Reeve Steenkamp, during a photo shoot. She was the face of Avon in South Africa.

One of Reeva's portfolio pictures from Ice Model Management.

Reeva and Pistorius had been dating for two months

As well as being the face of Avon in South Africa, Reeva also presented a number of TV shows

Reeva used her Twitter account regularly, often retweeting and posting links that highlighted violence against women

Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her facebook page

Oscar Pistorius (left) and Reeva Steenkamp at Tashas All White Party at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa

Reeva pictured at the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2013 on 7 February 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa

Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her facebook page

Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her twitter page

Reeva Steenkamp out and about in an image posted to her twitter page

Reeva Steenkamp poses for a photograph on her twitter page

Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her twitter page

Reeva Steenkamp seen in an image posted to her facebook page

Reeva Steenkamp was a cover star for FHM magazine

Reeva demonstrating the joys of MINIs

Reeva poses with a friend

Reeva receives some canine attention

Reeva's modelling career led to some high profile magazine covers

Reeva with Oscar Pistorius at the SA Sports Awards

Reeva and Oscar Pistorius arrive at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg for the SA Sports Awards

Reeva had been set to appear as a celebrity contestant in the Tropika Island of Treasure Show this Saturday. On their website on Thursday morning, they posted a note extending their condolences to her friends and family.

Reeva Steenkamp phorographed recently in Johannesburg

Reeva had worked for Toyota, FHM, Clover & Italian brand Zui as well as doing some TV presenting

In this frame-grab from state television channel SABC 1 a tribute is devoted to slain model Reeva Steenkamp, girlfriend of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius. South Africas national broadcaster went ahead with the screening of the reality TV show "Tropica Island of Treasure" Saturday, Feb 16, 2013, featuring the dead model. Steenkamp encouraged her family to watch in one of her last conversations with them before her shooting death at the home of Pistorius. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

In this frame-grab from state television channel SABC 1 a tribute is devoted to slain model Reeva Steenkamp, girlfriend of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius. South Africas national broadcaster went ahead with the screening of the reality TV show "Tropica Island of Treasure" Saturday, Feb 16, 2013, featuring the dead model. Steenkamp encouraged her family to watch in one of her last conversations with them before her shooting death at the home of Pistorius. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)